Skip to main content
Till KTH:s startsida

IS1200 Computer Hardware Engineering 7.5 credits

Information per course offering

Course offerings are missing for current or upcoming semesters.

Course syllabus as PDF

Please note: all information from the Course syllabus is available on this page in an accessible format.

Course syllabus IS1200 (Spring 2020–)
Headings with content from the Course syllabus IS1200 (Spring 2020–) are denoted with an asterisk ( )

Content and learning outcomes

Course contents

The course gives basic knowledge of how a computer functions and is built-up both from a hardware and from a software perspective The course is divided into six different modules, which for example include the following basic concepts:

  1. C-programming and assembler language: pointers, functions, stack, assembly language, machine language, instruction encoding and processor registers.
  2. I/O system: timers, interrupts and memory mapped I/O.
  3. Digital design: truth tables, gates, boolean algebra, multiplexers, decoders, adders, combinatorial nets, sequential networks and registers.
  4. Processor construction: arithmetic-logic unit, data path, control unit and pipeline.
  5. Memory architectures: instruction cache, data cache and virtual memory.
  6. Parallel processors and programs: Amdahl's law, different variants of parallelism as well as multicore.

Note that module 3 is recommended prior knowledge to the course and comes not to be treated on lectures or labs. However, the material for module 3 will be available on the course homepage, as it is prior knowledge to module 4.

Intended learning outcomes

After passing the course, the student shall be able to

  • Implement low-level programs in the C programming language and in an assembly language
  • Implement low-level programs with input-output, timers, and interrupts
  • Analyse processor microarchitectures, with and without a pipeline,
  • Analyse memory hierarchies, including cache-structures.
  • Compare fundamental concepts about multiprocessor computers.
  • Explain and describe technical solutions both orally and in writing. 

For higher grades, the student shall also be able to construct more complex programs and/or discuss and analyze concepts within the course. The details are specified in the course memo.

Literature and preparations

Specific prerequisites

No information inserted

Recommended prerequisites

Fundamental knowledge of programming and digital electronics.

Equipment

No information inserted

Literature

No information inserted

Examination and completion

If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.

Grading scale

A, B, C, D, E, FX, F

Examination

  • LAB1 - Laboratory Work, 4.5 credits, grading scale: P, F
  • TEN1 - Examination, 3.0 credits, grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F

Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.

The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.

Opportunity to complete the requirements via supplementary examination

No information inserted

Opportunity to raise an approved grade via renewed examination

No information inserted

Examiner

Ethical approach

  • All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
  • In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
  • In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.

Further information

Course room in Canvas

Registered students find further information about the implementation of the course in the course room in Canvas. A link to the course room can be found under the tab Studies in the Personal menu at the start of the course.

Offered by

Main field of study

Technology

Education cycle

First cycle

Add-on studies

No information inserted

Supplementary information

In this course, the EECS code of honor applies, see: http://www.kth.se/en/eecs/utbildning/hederskodex.